Monday, March 08, 2010

Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Torte

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Last weekend one of my supper clubs got together and the theme this month was appetizers rather than a traditional dinner. I decided to make a Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Torte. I don't have an exact recipe for this but I can tell you how I made it...

I used 3 packages of cream cheese. I used the 1/3 less fat type. I also used some pesto and some sun-dried tomatoes. First I put about 1/2 a jar of the tomatoes in my mini food processor to chop them up a bit. You could also chop them by hand....
Then I mixed some of the tomatoes with one of the packages of cream cheese...
Then mixed another package of cream cheese with some pesto.
Next line a container with plastic wrap and let some hang over so you can use it to wrap up over the bowl. You can use any shape container you want. I used a small mixing bowl....
Layer part of the pesto/cream cheese mixture in the bottom of the bowl...
Then spread a thin layer of pesto over it...
Next, spread all the sun-dried tomato cream cheese mixture over that and then top with some sun-dried tomatoes...
Spread the remainder of the pesto cream cheese...
The last layer (which will be the bottom of the torte) is just plain softened cream cheese. Stir it up before you add it so it will spread easier.
Then just fold the plastic wrap over the top and gently press it down with a flat hand to make sure it's packed in there tightly, and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight...
When you are ready to serve it just unwrap the top and put a plate over the bowl and turn to flip it out and remove the bowl and plastic wrap. You can smooth the top to get rid of the wrinkles from the plastic wrap but as you can see I didn't do that. I usually add some toasted pine nuts but I ran out of time so I just have some fresh basil as a garnish...
Serve with crackers or baguette slices. I thought I would also share the other great things we ate. Everything was so yummy! These are prosciutto, mascarpone, arugula and fig wraps. They were so good!
Some yummy summer rolls with a peanut dipping sauce.
Some yummy lamb with a mint sauce....
Some really good empanadas...
Eggs with smoked salmon. It's amazing how much better they are with the salmon on top!! I'll never make plain deviled eggs again. I know Lauren will love these, she loves smoked salmon!
These were amazing...grapes wrapped in a blue cheese and cream cheese mixture and rolled in chopped almonds. I think they would be good with walnuts too. Blue cheese and walnuts are one of my favorite food combinations.
My other supper club is meeting soon and the theme is wine. Every dish must have wine in it. I haven't decided what I'm going to make for that yet but it will be fun looking for a recipe!
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50 comments:

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Hi Cindy~ ~ ~
This looks like an amazing group everyones dish is lovely. I must try your spread it looks so pretty.

I dried some tomatoes from my garden last summer and put them up in the freezer. When I get them out to thaw I put them in a bit of olive oil and they are ready to go. So good!
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

OMG, it's only 7 am and you have made me hungry for dinner. It all looks so wonderful!!!
Take care-
Kristin

Blondie's Journal said...

Your torte looks so delicious, Cindy! The layers are beautiful. Thanks so much for the step by step directions and pictures. I'm going to try this.

The food at the party also looks delicious. How lucky you are to be in a supper club!

xoxo
Jane

Lavanta Bahçesi said...

OMG thnx for this amazing recipe! I love sun dried tomatoes :)

Linda K. said...

Hi Cindy,
I have not had breakfast yet and now I would really prefer to have apetizers instead--is that legal?
Looks yummy!
Best Wishes
Linda K.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Everything looks and sounds so good - except for the blue cheese and the smoked salmon. I am not a picky eater, but I don't care for strong cheese or strong fish. Thanks for sharing the torte recipe.

Olga Poltava said...

That's a great appetizer. I definetely will try it. Thank you, Cindy.

Danielle said...

YUM! You made my mouth water!

Sandy said...

I'm hungry now! I wish I could join your supper club. Everything looks so delicious. I'm hosting our BUNCO group next week so I'm trying to think up things to serve.

Teacup Lane (Sandy)

Emily {Frilly Details} said...

Your dish sounds so good! I love anything with pesto and sun-dried tomatoes. Can I come to your supper club?! Everything looks AMAZING!

Beverly @ My Sew Sweet Studio said...

I will defintely be trying your torte. That looked so good and the colors so festive. What a fun supper club party...all the appetizers looked delish.

FrenchGardenHouse said...

These all look divine. I will be trying your great torte, soon, Cindy. Thank you! xo

Laura said...

Hi Cindy,
Your appetizer looks and sounds delicious!! Thats a sure keeper.. any chance you would be able to post the other recipes? So wish I belonged to your Supper Club!!!

~Laura

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh yum! Eye candy for sure here -- thanks for your recipe for the Torte -- looks wonderful.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Looks and sounds Yum-O.

Susan said...

Oh man, Cindy. Those appetizers looked so good I wanted to cut open my computer screen, stick in my fork, and chow them down! Yuuuuuummmmmmyyyyyy. Sincerely, Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com

afistfullofweeds* said...

It all looks so yumalicious! Iam gonna try that myself! Stop by and check out my jewelry wreath I made!! Rhonda

Judi said...

OMG Cindy! Am I dying here for what? This is exactly what I am looking for for my Easter Eve celebration I am hosting this year!
Absolutely beautiful food and amazingly gorgeous presentation! I'm stealing it all!!!
Judi

Anonymous said...

MY GOODNESS!! did you do all of that????? Your presentation is magnificent!
Smiles~
Cat

House and Garden Boutique said...

Wow, that just sounds so divine! My mouth is watering and wanting to run home and make some for the weekend. Thanks for the step-by-step instructions for such a tasty treat!

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tarrah said...

Cindy, everything looks so amazing! Is it possible to get that recipe for the grapes with the blue cheese recipe? Thanks!

Imagery by Kimberly said...

I am certifiably starving now. Goodness EVERYTHING looks fantastic... how awesome! Y'all must have so much fun! Your appetizer looks fabulous Cindy.

xo,
Kim

Julie Harward said...

This all looks so good! I love sun dries tomatoes! I like to cook a big pot of fresh snapped green beans with dried tomatoes..oh, the flavor is awesome! Love your combination here, bet it tasted so good! The grapes sounded interesting too! Come say hi :D

My Cottage Charm said...

They say you eat with your eyes first...that is very true with the spread you guys had at your supper club! I have a church dinner coming up this month and I'm thinking this would make a great dish to take as an appetizer! How could this go wrong...cream cheese, pesto and tomatoes...yummo!
You just HAVE to visit my blog today and see what my wonderful husband did for me!! I am very blessed! Have a great evening!

Tra La La Boom De Ay said...

I was happy with the pesto recipe and then you just kept adding more great stuff! I love Vietnamese spring/summer rolls! They are a favorite of mine and I do make them often when the weather warms up! GREAT post!

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Jan ~ BellaCasa said...

Oh my stars...I would have to view your post before dinner time. Now I'm starving, Cindy. Thanks for the showing and telling how to today. I'm not much on cooking, but I do like to eat.

Tina Lee said...

Oh my gosh, first of all, how did you get into a supper club? I want to start one. Second of all, these dishes look like something straight out of a food magazine. Awesome. Thanks for sharing.

Melissa Lester said...

Cindy, I love your new blog look! I have enjoyed scrolling back through the posts I have missed lately. I am glad the blog is bringing in some extra cash for you to do what you love! The inspiration I get here is a blessing to me and definitely worth visiting a sponsor or two. I'm off to check out the site you referenced for making photos bigger. That makes such an impact!

Cindy said...

Tina, Go to www.cookinglight.com and go to the "community" section. There are bulletin boards there for starting supper clubs. That's how I got into mine.

Kathleen Grace said...

Oh. my! Thanks for the recipe CIndy, I love pesto and sundried tomatoes so this is one I have to try. Your supper club looks like a great time!

Glenda said...

I've had that torte before, it's the bomb. Made me hungry just to look at it.

And the other food, oh my, my mouth is watering.

Ciao

Anonymous said...

Id sure love to get the recipe for the grapes covered in cream cheese and walnuts? Is it possible to post that? Thanks. Toni

My Cozy Corner said...

Hi Cindy,
Some more good ideas for entertaining. I made the roll-ups for a group of friends and they just loved them. I am going to a birthday party and I think I am going to bring the deviled eggs with salmon on top. So easy. Love your blog
Betty

Karen Deborah said...

I'll be right over. So your going to have a party like this when I'm in Cali right?

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

Everything looks delicious Cindy. Why did I choose tonight to have leftover pesto pasta? Does not compare to your menu here for sure. I love sun-dried tomatoes and will have to try your recipe soon. Off to see if you posted about Alameda... I found so many things but haven't posted about them yet.

Rosy Inspiration said...

Everything looks so amazing, I'm drooling just looking at them. How is one going to lose weight with all this yummy food?

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Was this a barefoot Contessa group?

lesapeamusings.blogspot said...

Well, that was an eye full, which doesn't help me now...I'm starving!
I loved everything. Much Love.

Brenda said...

Wow - all those look sooo good - guess this is a step up from opening a bag of chips!?!...

Elsie said...

Cindy~ YUM!! It all looks good.
Did I miss the rest of the answers
to the questions people ask last
week? I probably did.:O)

Marilyn said...

I love this kind of recipe.

The kind that is delicious, looks complicated to make, but is very easy!

My mouth is watering just looking at these fabulous dishes.

Marilyn (in Dallas)

Tina Lee said...

Thank you so much for such a quick response. I am going there now! Woo Hoo.

Marilyn Miller said...

Everything looks just delicious!

thefirstlady said...

Wow! I am impressed. I hope you will do more posts on your supper club. I would love to know how it started and how you became involved.

Beverly said...

I am having a girls brunch in about a week. I am going to make your torte. It looks lovely and I am sure it will taste fantastic also. You have a wonderful blog. Just found it and I will definately be back:)

Antique Shows said...

I'm always looking for great new appetizers and that one sounds wonderful, I will try it for sure, thanks.

How fun to belong to a supper club!

Thanks for sharing..

Cheryl~